By IANS
New Delhi : N.P. Jayaraj, an Indian design student, has bagged the Montana World of Wearable Art (WOW) Factor award for the most innovative garment at a design competition in Wellington, New Zealand.
The award along with prize money of $5,000 was given to Jayaraj at the annual Montana WOW event, considered one of the most coveted fashion extravaganzas in the world.
“The WOW experience has been overwhelming, exciting and memorable. I would definitely encourage other design students to take part in the event,” Jayaraj, a design student of the Pearl Academy here, said in a statement.
“Not only have I been able to showcase my talent but have also been acknowledged for my creation with the award,” he added.
Jayaraj’s collection, named ‘The Weaver Finch Colony’ offered a creative synthesis between art and fashion.
“The design students have definitely done India proud in New Zealand yet again,” beamed Rathi Vinay Jha, director general of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
FDCI is country’s apex industry body in the field of fashion design and has officially tied up with the Montana WOW to promote and encourage Indian participation in the fete.
“The collections from India displayed creativity and went beyond the traditional concept of design and art. We are to have created this opportunity for talented students to showcase their creativity at such a prestigious platform,” Jha added.
The FDCI has also announced awards of Rs.30,000 each for the three best Indian entries. Apart from Jayaraj, the awards have gone to R.S Rajasekran of the National Institute of Design, and to Jasmina & Satbir from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi and the Delhi College Of Arts And Commerce respectively.
Earlier this year, the FDCI had shortlisted and sent the entries of 18 young designers for review by the WOW judges in New Zealand. Out of these, eight were selected to showcase at event.
“India has contributed tremendously with progressively innovative and fascinating design entries each year,” said Suzie Moncrieff, creator and director of WOW.
“Judging by the extraordinary Indian talent displayed this year, I am very optimistic about the FDCI’s future participation in WOW and hope to continually receive their support in the years to come,” Moncrieff said.
WOW accepts designs from all over the world. It selects around 150 entries and celebrates them in a totally unique environment. Designers are challenged to create something completely original – a garment that has impact on the huge stage, is impressive up close, is constructed to withstand the movement of individual choreography and has that overall ‘WOW Factor’.
Style gurus even use unconventional materials foreign to body draperies such as bicycle tubes, plastic bottles and paper clips in their collections.
The awards ceremony itself is a two-hour theatrical extravaganza showcasing incredible garments, stunning sets, dance, music, lighting and choreography.
Last year Narresh Kukreja and Shivan Bhatia, students of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi, walked away with an award for their entry ‘Bee Hive Bra’ in the Bizarre Bra category.